"But, on the other hand, though I can't give them medicine out of your papa's basket, your papa very often gives them medicine out of mine." "That's a riddle, I suppose," said Willie.
"No, it's not.

How is it your papa can come so near people to help them ?" "He gives them things that make them well again." "What do they do with the things he gives them ?" "They take them." "How ?" "Put them in their mouths and swallow them." "Couldn't they take them at their ears ?" "No," answered Willie, laughing.
"Why not ?" "Because their ears aren't meant for taking them." "Aren't their ears meant for taking anything, then ?" "Only words." "Well, if one were to try, mightn't words be mixed so as to be medicine ?" "I don't see how." "If you were to take a few strong words, a few persuasive words, and a few tender words, mightn't you mix them so--that is, so set them in order--as to make them a good medicine for a sore heart, for instance ?" "Ah! I see, I see! Yes, the medicine for the heart must go in at the ears." "Not necessarily.

It might go in at the eyes.

Jesus gave it at the eyes, for doubting hearts, when He said--Consider the lilies,--consider the ravens." "At the ears, too, though," said Willie; "just as papa sometimes gives a medicine to be taken and to be rubbed in both." "Only the ears could have done nothing with the words if the eyes hadn't taken in the things themselves first.

But where does this medicine go to, Willie ?" "I suppose it must go to the heart, if that's the place wants healing." "Does it go to what a doctor would call the heart, then ?" "No, no; it must go to what--to what a clergyman--to what _you_ call the heart." "And which heart is nearer to the person himself ?" Willie thought for a moment, then answered, merrily--the doctor's heart, to be sure!" "No, Willie; you're wrong there," said Mr Shepherd, looking, as he felt, a little disappointed.
"Oh yes, please!" said Willie; "I'm almost sure I'm right this time." "No, Willie; what the clergyman calls the heart is the nearest to the man himself." "No, no," persisted Willie.